26 LUMEN | INTERVIEWS
A
Conversation with
Mr . Karthickeyen Govindaraj
By Mr Matthew Grey
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My greatest hope is that people will learn in order to live life
You may know Mr . Karthick by his dapper blue suits , his Mad Hatter ’ s Tea Parties , or from his role as the teacher-in-charge of the SJI Debating Society . What ’ s more , you may know of the many awards he has won over the years , including the Inspiring Teacher of English Award in 2020 . If you have ever had the good fortune to be a student in any of his classes , you will , undoubtedly , have benefited from his application of a wide range of pedagogical approaches , just as his colleagues have recently enjoyed his workshops on how best to engage twentyfirst century learners . So what drives this consummate professional in his restless search for new and innovative ways of reaching the SJI student of today ? We spent a couple of hours one afternoon prior to the introduction of Phase Two ( Heightened Alert ) to find out the answers to these , and other , crucial questions of pedagogy .
How are your views on pedagogy different today from when you first began your teaching career ? As an educator invested in research and practice , I am influenced by phenomenology , particularly by the works of Ted Aoki who makes a distinction between the ‘ planned curriculum ’ and ‘ lived curriculum ’. In education , phenomenology focuses on the Educator ’ s first-hand experience ( s ), rather than the abstract experience of others . In being motivated by phenomenology , I consider the importance of lived experience when reflecting on my identity as a Singaporean educator in the 21st Century . This is how I have evolved as an educator since 2012 .
What advice would you give young teachers who are starting their career today ? If one wants to succeed as an educator , the following must be kept in mind : ( i ) The school is a space for learning . It should not be seen as a mere accreditation centre . ( ii ) Teaching and learning share a symbiotic relationship ; as a lifelong learner , the educator must embrace critical thinking , creativity and problem solving .
( iii ) The educator must practice what he or she preaches in the classroom about lifelong learning , proper conduct and universal beliefs .